Late-Summer Vacationing in Minnesota

July 4th has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean that a late-summer vacation is out of the question in Minnesota! Here are some of the best getaways for a relaxing last-minute vacation.

This article originally appeared on Midwest Weekends website. You can view the original article in its original context here.

Urban camping at Fort Snelling

Wilderness Inquiry is offering overnight family camping on Picnic Island at Minnesota’s most-visited state park, at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers in the Twin Cities.

In 2017, the trips are June 24-25, Aug. 5-6 and 26-27 and Sept. 9-10. Cost is $60, $30 for youths 17 and under. Like all Wilderness Inquiry trips, they’re open to people with disabilities.

From the Root to the Mississippi

Every year, members of the non-profit Midwest River Expeditions, based in Dubuque, Iowa, choose a different river for their Great River Rumble.

In 2017, it’s on the Root River from Rushford to the Mississippi, with take-out in Prairie du Chien, Wis., July 29-Aug. 5.

Cost of $150 includes camping with showers, baggage shuttle, power-boat escort, entertainment and farewell party. Shuttle from the end point to starting point is $25 apiece for people and boats.

Outdoors clubs

One club known for its penny-pinching ways is the Minnesota Rovers Outdoors Club, based in the Twin Cities. It offers camping trips to Minnesota’s North Shore for as little as $15; you bring your own food, but you can borrow gear from the club if you’re a member.

Membership is $25, $10 for those who live outside the Twin Cities metro area.

It also offers beginner’s trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for $85-$100. A few spots on trips often are saved for new members, but watch the trip list and sign up ASAP.

For more about traveling with outdoors clubs, see Join the club.

Lodges in state parks

Six state parks — Whitewater near Rochester, Sibley near New London, Lake Carlos near Alexandria, St. Croix near Hinckley, Flandrau near New Ulm and Lake Shetek near Walnut Grove — rent large group centers where indoor lodgings can cost as little as $5 per person per night.

They’re very popular for summer weekends, so be ready when reservations open.

Many environmental centers also rent to groups. For more, see Cabins for a crowd.

Many other state parks rent lodgings for smaller groups. For more, see Lodgings in Minnesota state parks.

This article originally appeared on Only In Your State on May 24, 2016. It was written by Jo Magliocco and can be read in its original context here.

These 7 Epic Waterparks in Minnesota Will Take Your Summer To A Whole New Level

It’s that time of year again! The temps are starting to soar in Minnesota, and we can’t wait to get into the water to cool off. And when it comes to water, the best way to enjoy it, aside from our thousands of lakes, is obviously at our waterparks! From slides to wave pools, these 7 always make a splash.